The English side and Wales find themselves placed in an identical pool for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a major early encounter in Australia. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.
This pairing mirrors their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground played a part in the English team's shock group stage elimination.
Other Notable Group Pairings
Ireland and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group once again, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they secured a 36-14 win, with Scotland unable to progress to the knockout stages.
Los Teros and Portugal, both made a strong impression as underdogs in France, complete that same group.
Significantly, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and world number one South Africa until the final, assuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.
Tournament Ramifications
Should the pools conclude in line with the current global standings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from the likes of the English and the Irish until the final.
In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the remaining top-ranked nation on the same side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.
Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener
Tournament hosts Australia have been drawn together with their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.
The Wallabies will open the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match aimed at launch the event.
In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with Italy, the Lelos and Romania. France are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.
Expanded Format for 2027
Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup expands to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in 2023.
This edition will introduce a last-16 round for the first time in the competition's history.
While the victor of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will have to face the second-placed team from Pool B – most likely the Italians – in the first knockout round.
A total of four of the remaining six group winners will face a team that finished third from the initial group phase.
RWC 2027 Draw
Pool A
- New Zealand
- Australia
- Chile
- Hong Kong
Pool B
- South Africa
- Italy
- Georgia
- Romania
Pool C
- Argentina
- Fiji
- Spain
- Canada
Pool D
- Ireland
- Scotland
- Uruguay
- Portugal
Pool E
- France
- Japan
- USA
- Samoa
Pool F
- England
- Wales
- Tonga
- Zimbabwe
